Manager hits back over plans to transform ‘dull’ wall into mural

Colchester Council has been recommended to refuse planning permission to install the mural on the external side of a wall at the Grade I listed Holy Trinity Church, in Church Street.

The application for the mural was lodged by Lion Walk Shopping Centre, but a planning officer deemed the mural as “inappropriate” for the “highly-significant historic site”.

Bold - what the mural could look like if approved

Martin Leatherdale, the centre’s manager, is now urging residents to support the plans so the mural can be approved.

He said: “With the current vagueness I can understand fully why the officer has the limited choice but to recommend refusal of the application, it’s therefore vital to add context to the application and the rationale behind it.

“The wall in question faces into Lion Walk shopping centre and is approximately 100 years old, it becomes Grade I listed by default as it forms part of the church demise – whilst a very important part of the church, and very precious to the town, it is not itself a 1,000-year-old Saxon wall – albeit, as an intrinsic part of the church, we agree it should be respected as such.

“At present it is hand painted with various different shades of red commercial masonry paint giving it a dull, drab and unloved appearance.

“This project is just to temporarily add some vibrancy and life to an area that at the moment feels tired.”

Historic - Holy Trinity Church, near where the mural would be painted

Mr Leatherdale, who is also a Colchester councillor, said he took feedback from hundreds of residents, including businesses, which, he said, were overwhelmingly in favour of the mural.

He said the mural is only ever intended to be temporary and would be maintained at the cost of the shopping centre so there would be no cost to taxpayers.

He added: “Vibrant colours are now accepted as an intrinsic part of historic churches and cathedrals across the land – indeed, through laser scanning processes historians now know that listed buildings were shrouded in vibrant colour, contrary to some of the objections raised.

“The wall is currently dull and drab, hand painted in lashings of different shades of a commercial dull red paint.”

There would be no structural damage to the wall if the mural is created, and a public consultation can be launched into the design content before the installation, he added.

Mr Leatherdale said: “It would be detrimental to the vision of improving Colchester town centre’s future to halt such dynamic projects, where the benefits outweigh the concerns.

Dull - the wall as it looks currently painted red

“I hope this summary helps clarify our commitment to the conservation and protection of this amazing part of Colchester’s history, and our ongoing moral and ethical considerations to be great collaborators and promoters for the town’s future success, balancing the perceived benefits and concerns of all stakeholders.

“Put simply, I want nothing more than Colchester town centre to be the best it can be with immersive and experiential engagements for our valued visitors.”

To contact Mr Leatherdale about the mural, email Martin.Leatherdale@lionwalk.co.uk.